Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.
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Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D. |
2003: The HRT Controversy Series
Power Surge™ Live!
December 4 2005
Host: Dearest
Guest: Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.
Naturally Compounded Hormones
 About Pete Hueseman |
 Ask The Pharmacist |
(Pete Hueseman, R.Ph, R.D.'s 16th visit to Power Surge) Mary: Pete, Dearest asked me to extend her apologies that she won't be able to host your guest chat tonight. Her 91 year old mother had a fall, has just had hip surgery and she's been at the hospital constantly to help care for her Mom. Dearest's guest tonight is Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D. Pete has been a Registered Pharmacist for 30 years. Although Pete is a registered pharmacist and dispense all sorts of prescription medications, he's focused his area of expertise on women's healthcare, and to naturally compounded, bioidentical hormones, such as estradiol, estriol, estrone, tri-estrogen, micronized progesterone, DHEA, testosterone, pregnenolone) Pete specializes in counseling patients and physicians on the use of natural hormones. He advises patients and physicians, nationwide, and is an acknowledged expert on the use of *natural* hormones or NHRT (natural hormone replacement therapy) Pete is professionally associated with NAMS, the Academy of Alternative Medicine, Alternative and Complementary Medicine Association, and is registered with more than one professional Pharmacist's Association. Pete also is co-owner of Bellevue Pharmacy Solutions. Pete, it's always a pleasure to welcome you back to Power Surge :) Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: I do know that Dearest is with her Mom, and I hope everything is going as well as possible. It is always a pleasure to be here. Mary: Pete, for those who aren't familiar with the differences between synthetic estrogens and progestins, and natural estrogen and progesterone, could you please explain it to our audience? Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: Natural or Bio-identical, or human identical means it is derived from a plant source, and most importantly the chemical structures of the hormones are identical to those secreted by the ovaries and adrenal gland. Therefore there are usually less side effects. KarrenB: The only symptoms I am having are night sweats. What should I start with? Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: KarrenB, I would start with a low to medium dose of Biest, in a sublingual tablet, and I can help you decide the strength of it, if you want to call me at work tomorrow, and we will go over your complete history. KarrenB: Where do I call and what is Biest? Mary: You can call Pete at 1-800-728-0288 or E.mail him at consultph@bpharmacysolutions.com Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: We are open 9 AM to 6 PM CST. Biest is 80% Estriol and 20% estradiol, both natural, bio-identical hormones. SuzHamee: I'm 50 and haven't had a period for 6 months I'm having hot flashes at night and I have anxiety and depression and mood swings. I'm not on HRT and I don't want to be. Do you think Revival Soy could help with these symptoms? Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: Yes, I would try the Revival, for a month or two, and if it helps then great, if not, then I would advise calling in to us, and we will guide you with a suggestion for natural bio identical HRT. Jac4532: I was told by a physician that using natural progesterone cream every day would be OK. I have been doing that for quite awhile. Am I creating a problem for myself? Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: I would say no problem, and since you have been doing it for sometime now, I assume you haven't noticed anything unusual? Jac4532: Nothing unusual. Mary: Good :) Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: Then keep up the good work. Mary: With regard to all the recent negative studies about combined synthetic (conjugated) estrogen and progestins, what impact, if any, do these studies have on the natural, plant-derived estrogens and progesterone? Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: The studies have helped business actually, for most women are switching over to the bioidentical, since going off totally makes the quality of life pretty rough. JeanC40: I have been on the Vivelle Dot .1 and compounded progesterone various forms for 3 years NOW they just found a 13cm fibroid on me so besides losing my estrogen which I need, I am surprised that I developed this because I thought meno helped to shrink fibroids and I never was told I had one before. To avoid surgery, I am actually thinking of taking synthetic progestins. Any advice? I've already cut my estrogen patch in half. I hadn't had a period in two years until these last two months. Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: Jean, this is a case where I would also recommend the stronger synthetic progestin for 2 to 6 months, and then switch back to the natural. JeanC40: Is any progestin not so rough on swelling? Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: Menopause generally does help shrink any fibroids, but maybe you had too much estrogen in the patch? All synthetics will cause some bloating and swelling, but remember to only use for a short time. Mary: There are many conflicting opinions about estrogen dominance. Many say, it's not estrogen dominance, but the fluctuations of hormones that cause menopausal symptoms. Can you share your thoughts on estrogen dominance, what it is and if/how it affects premenopausal women? Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: Estrogen dominance is a term coined by our late friend, Dr. John Lee, M.D. I prefer to call it hormone imbalance. The progesterone stops being produced first, and therefore there are symptoms of too much estrogen, but the estrogen slows down next, and if something is not done, then symptoms go crazy. This imbalance is very bad sometimes and causes great PMS. Mary: Thanks, Pete. Many women seem to be confused by that terminology. PittyPatt: I am 42 years old, in good health. My hair is thinning really bad. I am currently on 1000 mg micronized progesterone cream. Will this seem to help or do I need a stronger one? Will the progesterone cream help me? Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: I would say you need a test, (Saliva) and measure your Estradiol level along with progesterone and do it around day 21 of your cycle, then we will see if your estrogen and progesterone are low or not. I would imagine you need some natural estrogen to go along with the progesterone. I would not use a stronger cream until the test was complete, and we can sell you the test kit from Bellevue Pharmacy Solutions. Mary: Women on the message boards are often wondering about testosterone. When is it appropriate to include testosterone supplementation with natural hormone therapy, or could estrogen help the waning or lost libido in many pre and postmenopausal women? Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: Testosterone should be used if the levels test out low, and yes the natural estrogen can also help greatly with loss of libido. Marilu: What is the scientific basis for Dr. Lee's preoccupation with estrogen dominance other than the obvious? Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: I don't know of any scientific research that was done, just about 35 years of his practice and working with lots of PMS in the beginning, and then with menopause. Mostly just the obvious reasons. Marilu: To sell progesterone? Over the counter brands? Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: Yes, in the end that was his goal, but he did bring progesterone out of the closet, so to speak, for women. Now we know it works for many different scenarios of hormone imbalance, and in many different forms other than creams. Mary: Which do you find to be the most effective delivery system of natural hormones, such as orally, transdermal cream, gel, patch? Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: That depends on each individual woman, the sublingual tablet is excellent, and so is our long acting gel (duragel), the oil caps are next, then creams and suppositories. There are no progesterone patches as of yet. Mary: Why is that, Pete, that there are no progesterone patches? Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: Progesterone is a very large molecule, and the patch would be the size of your whole back area. We tried to make one about 4 years ago, and after spending about $30,000.00 in research, with very little success we dropped the project; and I was in charge of that. Mary: Oh, ok - thanks, Pete. That seems like a product that many women would love. Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: It was not too attractive at all. Deboc98: 49 year old and had a total hysterectomy three and half years ago and am presently taking Vivelle .1 mg patch and that barely holds my symptoms. My doc says taper after 5 years. Any suggestions? Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: We get this in patients all the time, and we usually suggest a Biest (possibly with some testosterone) in a sublingual tablet, and dissolve it under the tongue two times a day every 12 hrs. Dose to be determined after talking with you directly. At some point we will lower the dose, but I would expect you will need to be on the natural longer than 5 years. Marilu: I have read your area on this site and see that many women have good results with naturals. what studies have been done on the naturals vs the synthetics and are they really safer? Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: They seem to be safer, and no studies have been officially done. Anecdotally, we do get reports of less cancer victims, it seems. Mary: What do you recommend for women with vaginal dryness and/or sexual libido issues who don't prefer to use oral natural hormones? Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: We recommend lots of Estriol (with or without testosterone) in a vaginal cream that is used for 7 days straight, then 2 or 3 times a week thereafter. We also recommend lots of Alura, which increases blood flow to the sex organs, and enhances libido and orgasms. The Alura is of course OTC, and can be purchased by calling us at Bellevue Pharmacy Solutions. PittyPatt: I Have read Dr John Lee's book 5 times and have been studying natural hormone myself for over 4 years. I don't understand why you say that I might need estrogen. In all my reading I understand that estrogen dominance is the cause of all the problems of premenopause symptoms. I am not in meno yet. Why would I need estrogen when Dr. Lee preaches progesterone, progesterone, progesterone, I have always read that the last thing a perimeno women needs is more estrogen. Marilu: Nobody said Dr. John Lee was God. Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: Pitty, you may not need any, I would definitely do the saliva test on day 21 of your cycle for the 2 hormones, and see how much more progesterone you need? JellyBean: Is a saliva test more accurate than a blood test for the hormone testing? My gyn will help with either test you recommend. Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: I always recommend the one that your insurance will cover, both are accurate if done correctly, which means the proper day of the cycle, if one; and the proper amount of time after the last dose of hormones. JellyBean: I have BC (Blue Cross) - how do I know which they would cover? Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: The saliva can be covered on insurance, if the person has Blue Cross or United healthcare or Medicare, and blood tests are covered by many more insurances. JellyBean, it should be covered then. GeorgieP02: I am a 46 year old bodybuilder in perimenopause. Could that be the cause of my difficulty in losing body fat/weight? Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: Body builders have very low fat content, and therefore you have very little estrogen reserves, and a test would be best to do, then we would evaluate it for the need of progesterone, maybe some testosterone, and possibly some estrogen and even some DHEA. PittyPatt: I just went to my gyn this week and asked for a saliva test. I have wonderful health coverage and she doesn't do them? Is it because they are not educated in them or what do you seem to think the real problem is? How can I then get my doc to write the prescription that I need? Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: I would say it is lack of education, yes. You can call me and I can get you the test for only a co pay, if you have Blue cross of United healthcare. Mary: Pete, for those who don't know, can you explain what the three main estrogens are and what each does in a woman's body? Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: Estradiol is the one that will help most with the menopausal symptoms. Estriol is the one most predominant in a woman just before she delivers a baby, and has possible breast cancer protective qualities. Estrone, is the strongest and seems to be the highest in level in many cancer patients, and you don't want too much of this one. YoungOldMe: Saliva test = progesterone=1187 pg/ml. Blood test 1.0 pg/mL only a few hours difference. Big discrepancy? Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: I would need to know which lab did each different test, and the normal range of each test, and what part of the cycle you did the test in; Luteal, follicular, or in menopause, also, what medications (hormones) you were using if any the day before the test. You can email me all the specifics later, or fax me the complete test of each along with your phone number, and I will review it and call you back about it. Doone: I have hyperplasia and am wondering if there is any natural hormone I can take to help with this. Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: Generally natural progesterone for 2 to 3 weeks per month in fairly high doses will create a period and help you slough off the extra tissues. Doone: Would I find that at a health food store? Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: The progesterone would be in fairly high doses also, and best as a sublingual tablet, 2 or 3 x's a day. No it is prescription only, and should be ordered through my Pharmacy, call me tomorrow and I will tell you how to have your doctor order it for you. Marilu: Do you do many saliva tests and do you find you get better results with them? Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: We sell many saliva tests each day, some ordered by patients, and many by doctors who know how to use them, maybe 10 to 12 a day, and we get excellent results and data to help patients needing hormones. JellyBean: I'm close to you in St. Louis. Can I just come in and buy a saliva test for the co-pay cost? Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: Yes, or I can mail it to you, either way. 1034 S. Brentwood Blvd Suite 102 in the University Club Tower across from the Galleria Shopping Center. Marlo: How do you feel about taking natural hormones with varicose veins and PVC's (extra beats in the heart). Not dangerous. Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: This is a ticklish subject, and you still must be careful even with the naturals. But it can be done, always start out with a low dose, and work your way up gradually. Marlo: Why must I be very careful? Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: We also have the women take an 81 mg Aspirin E.C. tablet daily with this problem. Marlo: I don't usually take aspirin. I take Tylenol. Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: You don't want to get blood clots, and have a major episode of some kind. Aspirin is the baby strength dose, and has a blood thinning benefit to it. Marlo: Then I would rather not take them. Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: It has been a good evening and lots of good questions, and anytime I can help any of you, please call or email me. Thanks! Mary: Pete, thank you once again for educating women about our hormones and menopause. If anyone has further questions about naturally compounded hormones, you can ask Pete by typing into your browser, www.power-surge.com/asktheexperts.htm and Pete will get back to you on any questions regarding natural hormones and menopause, or you can call him at 1-800-728-0288 or E.mail him at consultph@bpharmacysolutions.com Read Pete Hueseman's first transcript Read Pete Hueseman's second transcript Read Pete Hueseman's third transcript Read Pete Hueseman's fourth transcript Read Pete Hueseman's fifth transcript Read Pete Hueseman's sixth transcript Read Pete Hueseman's seventh transcript Read Pete Hueseman's eighth transcript Read Pete Hueseman's ninth transcript Read Pete Hueseman's tenth transcript Read Pete Hueseman's eleventh transcript Read Pete Hueseman's twelfth transcript Read Pete Hueseman's thirteenth transcript Read Pete Hueseman's fourteenth transcript Read Pete Hueseman's fifteenth transcript Read Pete Hueseman's seventeenth transcript Read Pete Hueseman's eighteenth transcript Read Pete Hueseman's nineteenth transcript Read Pete Hueseman's twentieth transcript Read Pete Hueseman's twenty first transcript Read Pete Hueseman's twenty second transcript Disclaimer: Every guest in Power Surge is a highly respected professional whose opinions are his/her own. An appearance in Power Surge does not constitute an endorsement of a guest's views. None of these transcripts may be reprinted or reproduced without the express permission of Power Surge™ and the respective guest. Read other transcripts by returning to the Library. Dearest aka Alice Stamm Power Surge Founder, Facilitator, Host Copyright©1994-2008 by Power Surge. All Rights Reserved.